Dear Friend,

Welcome August! I hope your summer has been this joyful. Here in Virginia, we’ve fluctuated between intense heat and an abundance of rain—so except for gardening and outings for summer play and ice cream it’s been the perfect time to stay indoors to read and write.

Just as the school year ended, I met via Zoom with Mrs. Ashley Skinner’s 8^th grade classes of Grandview Christian School in Des Moines, Iowa. They’d just finished reading William Henry is a Fine Name, a book Mrs. Skinner uses every year in her curriculum. What an engaging and enthusiastic group of readers! I look forward to meeting with her class each school year.

It is 1859, and thirteen-year-old Robert is torn between loyalty to his abolitionist father and his mother’s slave-holding family.

After his best friend, William Henry, is trapped in a deadly scheme to protect secrets of the Underground Railroad, Robert vows never to get involved again. But when he discovers his grandfather’s plan to sell his own son, born of a slave woman, Robert must decide whether to stand idly by or risk everything to help him escape.

William Henry is a Fine Name is a coming-of-age story, a tale of friends—and a nation—caught in the chaos of slavery, forced to take a stand.

William Henry is a Fine Name is available once again—with a new but familiar cover—and can be purchased through Amazon, ordered through any bookstore, or from Ingram Spark. This Underground Railroad story set just before the American Civil War, was my first book, my first Christy Award winner, and has been used in 7^th, 8^th, and 11^thgrade school curriculums—Public Schools, Private Schools, and Home Schools. It will make a great addition to your school’s curriculum or your home library.

In July, I met in person with Author Kelly Goshorn and her Book Club in Purcellville, VA. They’d just finished reading This Promised Land, my latest book, the setting inspired by a local Christmas Tree Farm. What a pleasure to meet with these lovely ladies and to share perspectives and insights into this story.

Set against the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains, This Promised Land is the story of a daughter’s longing to make sense of the past and of the unbreakable bonds that bring prodigals home.

• A modern take on the prodigal son story
• Contains discussion questions ideal for book clubs

I love meeting with book clubs and reading groups. If your reading group would enjoy a virtual author visit after reading any of my books, please contact me through the CONNECT page on my website to schedule a date and time. There’s a great Book Club Kit for This Promised Land available HERE

You can find Recipes from books, Discussion Questions, and Pinterest Boards for each of my books on my website at www.authorcathygohlke.com

Writing News:

August and September will be months of working with my editors on my new manuscript, due to release Autumn 2026. I’m looking forward to diving back into this book, brainstorming a final title, and beginning collaboration on the cover design. I can’t wait to share more about this very dear to my heart story.

More Writing News:

I’ve just turned in a proposal for a new book—one I’m very excited about and one that is different from anything I’ve written. Be assured, it holds a strong theme and faith journey. I look forward to hearing what my editors think of the idea and look forward even more to moving forward with this story.

What I’m Reading:

The Collector of Burned Books, by Roseanna White

Courage, honor, and sacrifice born of great love overflow the pages of The Collector of Burned Books. Rarely have I read a book with such perfect tension. Meticulously researched, intellectually and spiritually stimulating, compelling and beautifully written, Roseanna White has written a book I could not put down, one I will not forget.

The All American, by Susie Finkbeiner

Told through the voices of two sisters whose family life is turned upside down when their father, a famous author, is accused of connections with the Communist Party during the 1950s Red Scare. A brilliant story filled with all-American humor, humanity and heartbreak. Baseball, music, and literary devotion drives winsome, wonderful coming-of-age characters. The Audible narrators are fantastic. I didn’t want the story to end.

I hope you’re making pleasant memories this summer, whether home or away, whether with family, friends, or enjoying the warm pleasure of your own company. Take time to relax, unwind, let the sun soak into your bones and when you’re ready, pick up a good book.

Until next time, God’s rich blessings for you,

Cathy